Bats are beneficial and interesting.They are the most important controllers of night flying insects.Watching them fly around your yard can be fun.This article will teach you how to build a bat house.
Step 1: The bats of your region are discussed.
There are 2 broad types of bats.The bats that live in Europe and North America are part of the Microchiroptera family.They are physically distinct from their cousins in that they have short noses or muzzles, smallish eyes, and larger ears, which is more of a common trait than a defining characteristic.Most of the larger bat species in the world are restricted to the tropical environments of Australia, South Asia and the Mediterranean.The species which make up this group tend to have longer muzzles, and some would say, even a vaguely rat-like or canine appearance.Several species of flying fox are native to Australia and Southeast Asia.
Step 2: Understand the habits of bats.
Guaranteeing a ready supply of food is the most likely way to attract bats to your home.The flying insects that make up most of the bats' diet are found through echolocation at night.You may not be able to attract bats if you don't have insects outside.Bats live on a diet of fruit.They may look for ripening fruits and flowering plants over the course of a year.
Step 3: The type of place where bats rest should be determined.
Bats need shelter and food in order to thrive in an environment.This is different by type.Small insect-eating species live in caves or in the hollow of a tree.Many species crowd together, which helps retain heat.Many of them can belured to live in specially constructed bat houses because they like to stay in enclosed spaces.The flying foxes and other larger fruit bats roost in dense concentrations in a relatively small section of forest.In most areas their roosts are considered a nuisance because of the sounds, smells, and overall destruction that can come from hosting a horde of several thousand bats.
Step 4: How can you use bat behavior to your advantage?
If you want to attract bats to your yard, you should consider how the environment you have created will fit with the needs of the animals.Are there places for the bats to rest?You won't have bats on your property if that's the case.Is there any potential food sources?Bats are usually insect eaters.You won't likely have bats if there are no insects due to the use of pesticides.Is there a way that bats can't come to your yard?Many insect-eating bats use a combination of echolocation and passive listening to determine the location of the insects they prey upon.If you live in a loud neighborhood, those species would stay away from you.
Step 5: An appropriate location can be found.
There are a few points you should keep in mind when considering a location for a bat house.The point at which the house should be placed is roughly 15 feet off of the ground.The house should be placed in a location that gets the most sunlight.
Step 6: Understand how a bat house looks.
The bat house will be different from the bird houses that most people are familiar with.The entrance and exit will not be at the front, unlike birdhouses.There should be an open strip along the bottom.The back wall of the bat house should have grooves carved into it that the bats can climb on.It should not be cube shaped like many bird houses, but rather be a flat box.This house is not going to be made for a single bat or a pair of bats.In groups of less than a dozen, bats rarely settle down for the day.The smallest bat house should have a width of 34 cm, a depth of 9 cm and a height of 51 cm.The lower portions of the sides should be open to let in air from the box.The heat they generate and the CO2 they release can make a bat house unlivable very quickly.
Step 7: Obtain needed materials.
You will need a pole on which to mount the house.The lumber has been treated to make it water resistant.Several sizes of screws.A screwdriver.Saw.A gun.
Step 8: Cut the lumber.
The back wall for the bat house should be the largest piece.Before you start building the bat house, it is a good idea to cut out the notch in the front and sides.No larger than 4 inch (0.64 cm) should be the size of the ventilation slit.The slits could allow too much cold air in.It would allow small birds to take over the house if the slits are more than 2 inches in size.The roof should be able to extend from a position above the back wall to a place beyond the front wall.It can be installed to meet the back and front walls at 90 angles, but if you want to roof to be at a 30 angle it will have to longer.To fit together smoothly, you may want to cut the roof, front wall, and back wall to an angle on one side.
Step 9: The largest plank has grooves cut into it.
The back of the bat house will have the largest plank.Cut grooves into the interior side of the back wall with a circular saw.It's best to put the grooves about 1 cm apart.You can use a hand saw to deepen the grooves if you like.It can help create a rougher surface inside the grooves that might be easier for the bats to cling to.Adding grooves to other interior surfaces and the area around the entrance will make it easier for bats to climb and cling to.
Step 10: The floor should be screwed onto the wall.
Only the front side should be attached to the floor.When the house is fully assembled, the floor should be small enough to not touch the back wall.The bats will be able to enter through the gap if it is 4 inch wide.
Step 11: The front should be screwed to the sides and back.
Before you screw the pieces in place, drill pilot holes using a small drill bit.There should be at least 2 screws per side.
Step 12: Attach the roof.
Before attaching the roof again, drill pilot holes.The roof should be put into the back and front walls.There must be at least 2 screws per side.
Step 13: The bat house can be painted or stained.
The bat house can be painted or stained to give it an additional seal.Paint will fill the grooves and make them useless to the bats, so don't paint them.After cutting the grooves, you can add stains and sealants.
Step 14: Attach the bat house to the site.
If you want to easily move the bat house from the target site, you should attach a mount that will hold the house in place but allow you to do so.Before you anchor the pole into the ground, make sure you mount it on a new pole.